Although backcountry skiing usually starts in April as most of the resorts close down and the avalanche danger is a lot less severe, it is easy to get distracted by the new spring sunshine. Our minds start to wander towards other activities. Hiking and Mountain Biking are two of my favorite activities to participate in place of backcountry skiing. In this shot I am mimicking a 360 ski jump called a helicopter just below Mt. Powel. I often find that hiking and mountain biking can be very similar to skiing just without the snow. I like cross-training because you can play through the same terrain you would if you had skis and there was snow but you get a different perspective on the land that you are traveling through. Venturing through the terrain I will ski in the summer is essential to choosing safe lines in the winter. Often, I look to see where fallen trees are and other obstacles that may be buried from the snow when I am hiking or biking. I think that summer travel through your favorite backcountry spots is also a great idea in regard to orienteering. Occasionally I will get caught in a really bad storm when I am skiing and it is really helpful to have familiar landmarks and a good sense of the trail when visibility is less than ideal. The other aspect of hiking and biking in the backcountry when the ski season begins to wind down is it keeps me in great shape. My personal goal is to skin into the Conundrum Hot Springs, which is a really tough ski tour, see this article in the Vail Daily. I will need to train for the trip by staying active even when the snow melts. Keeping my fitness level high in this mud season is important so that I can actually have fun on my trip.
Where is a fun place to train in the off-season? Fourteeners are common hiking destinations for most backcountry enthusiests in Colorado. My suggestion is to go off the beaten path away from the crowds in the spring and summer months and try to summit a 13,000 foot peak instead. Too many Coloradans have become caught up in the mentality “if it’s not a 14er, it’s not worth climbing.” When did we start judging a peak on its elevation rather than its historical significance, scenery and difficulty? Mt. Powell is the highest peak in the Gore Mountain Range at 13,580 feet. Although this peak doesn't sit in the pack of infamous 14ers, with an elevation gain of 4,500 feet and 12 miles worth of hiking, you’ll feel like you just climbed one.
The mountain was named after Major John Wesley Powell, who was a geologist, teacher and Civil War veteran. He was a great western explorer who climbed this peak on his way to the Grand Canyon. Powell is a perfect training peak for a 14er and a great challenge if you’re staying in the Vail Valley area and looking for a scenic camping trip. The ascent from the picturesque Piney Lake Ranch makes the first steps on your venture easy. The ranch is fully equipped with the amenities that every hiker is craving after a long day’s journey. Canoes, horses, lodging, food and supplies are all offered to backpackers and mountaineers passing by. But if you want to get away from it all, there’s an awesome vacant valley just beyond Piney Lake where you can pitch a tent. This relatively remote area makes for an exciting high alpine experience. It’s also one of the most beautiful hikes in the I-70 corridor. You could rush through Mt. Powell and tackle it in one day, but consider spending one or two nights camping in this valley soaking up the scenery.
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